Fluid-pump-controlling device and the like



March 9 11926., l,575,760

c. F. HEYWOOD FLUID PUMP CONTROLLNG DEVICE AND THE LIKE Original Filed August 27 1921 `Patented Mar. 9, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES FREDERIC HEYWOOD, OF BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA.

FLUID-PUMP-CONTROLLING DEVICE AND THE LIKE.

Original application filed August 27, 1921, Serial No. 495,916. Divided and this application led July 24,

Serial No. 653,608.

To all trimm, it may concern Bc it known that I, CHARLES Fnnnnmc HnYwooD, a subject of the King of England, residing at Buenos Aires, in the Argentine Republic, South America, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid- Pump-Coutrolling Devices and the like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to controlling devices, and more particularly to fluid pump controlling devices, the type of which I have shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 495,916, filed August 27, 1921, of which this application is a division.

The invention also relates to devices vfor use in maintaining fluids, such as air or the like, at a predetermined pressure within a receptacle or tank, while the compressed fluid in such receptacle is usable for starting internal combustion engines, operating automatic air brakes, horns or other warning signals and various devices not only in connection with automobiles,- but in any capacity desired.

The objects of the invention are to provide a controlling device of the character referred to having a compressed air tank or fluid receptacle with a pump for supplying the receptacle with compressed fluid, and means automatically operable for maintaining the fluid in said receptacle at any desired predetermined pressure, and additional means for preventing the fluid in the receptacle from being compressed above any desired predetermined amount which can be adjusted by a thumb screw operating on a spring or any suitable means.

The invention will first be hereinafter more particularly described, `with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are to be taken as a part of this specification, and then pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In Vsaid drawings, Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of an application of my invention showing parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inlet valve and means for removing the ball from its seat, as shown in Fig. 1,with the toggle-in a different position;

Fig. 3 is a like View ef a modification.,

which operates in the reverse order from Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a modification of the connection of the piston with the toggle.

Referring to said drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to denote corresponding parts in different views. a reciprocating air pump 1 is employed with automatic air control to maintain the air pressure in the receptacle or tank 2 constant within very small limits. This pressure can be regulated higher at will within the working limits of the air pump.

In Fig. 1 the reciprocating air pump 1 may be driven preferably by an automobile engine and coupled to it by any ordinary means. However, it is obvious that the device is not limited to an internal combustion engine, but might be applied to any desired device and power might be supplied from any other source. In the pump l, I preferably employ a cylinder of about 21/2 inches in stroke and 11/2 inches in bore, the crank shaft of said pump 1 working in oil.

f A suction pipe 3 and a delivery pipe t lead into the head of the pump cylinder, each having a non-return valve properly placed. The delivery valve 6 is shown leading to the receptacle 2 and on to the engine, or other device to be operated, through the starting cock or valve 7 and distributor. This valve 7 is adapted for turning oft and preventing the escape of compressed 'air when the device is not in use. The control of the pressure is effected entirely by holding the suction valve 5 open when the pressure in the receptacle 2 reaches the high limit required, and by releasing this valve 5 and allowing it to seat normally again when the pressure is low in said receptacle. This operation is in turn effected by a small cylinder 8 with a well fitting piston 9 working therein against a springr 10 regulated by a thumb screw 11. The piston rod 12 extends through the coil spring 1() and through the thumb screw 1l, and has its end connected by means of a small link 13 to a snap mechanism which includes a pair of links or levers 14 and 16 with their adjacent ends swingable on a common fixed pivot 15, the line 13 being connected to the outer end of the lever 11 and the outer end of the lever 16 being connected to a rod 17, which extends into the suction valve 5 of the pump and is adapted to press lsaid valve otl' its seat when the pressure in the receptacle is as high as is desired. thus stopping the pump from feeding as the pump merely torcvs the air through the suction valve 5 into thv atmosphere instead of through thv delivery valve -l into the receptacle. rl`hv rod 1T. t'or forcing the suction valve 5 oliI its seat. is forced in or out otI thv valve by the spiral lspring 18 stretched across and joining thv outvr ends of thv two levers 1l and lt'. The cvliuder S communicates through a small pipe 19 with thv outlet of the air pmnp delivery -1 so that whvn air pressure rises to the desired degree the piston il forces. through means ot the rod 12 and link l'l. the lever 11 to the right as shown in Fig. 1. The spring 1H consequently throws ovvi' the lever lt. carrying the rod 1T. and forces said rod into thv suction valve 5 and holds it open. 'hen the pressure in the receptacle 2 t'alls below thv desired point the piston 9 in thv cylinder S is forced back by the spring ltl. and the. levers 14 and 16 assume the position shown in Itig. 2. allowing the suction valve to t'unetion normally. iy these levers 1l and 1G and spring 1S. a quick. direct and full opening of the alvv is obtained which either releases it entirely. or litts it otl' its seat withoutI an intern'iediate positioning or partial or gradual opening` of the valve.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modification applicable to another method of effecting the control consisting in holding the suction valve Qt) lirmly on its seat by the vcontrolling rod Q1 to stop the pump feeding the receptacle and releasing the valve for normal feed, thv reverse of the first n'iethod. lVhen the valve Q0 is in an unseatvd position it is loosely held so that working ot the pump causes this valve to seat momentarily so thaty fluid is forced through thv delivery valve 6 into th e receptacle :2. I'Iowever, when the valve Q() is rigidly held upon its seat, the entrance of air to the pump is prevented, thus preventing the pump from Jfeeding the receptacle. .1 block 2Q', having an opening therein` allows the valve stem 21. to slide. freely therethrough. The valve stem 21 has. on the end opposite the valve. a stop 21 hy means ot' which the lever 1G can exert an outward pressure on valve 20. maintaining it on its seat, and directly the lever '1C is thrown over on the opposite .side ity leaves the valve stem 21 free to slide through the block QQ. The release of the valve f tl is achieved by connectingr the piston rod .21 directly to the valve head and causing the. pressure of the spring 18, when the piston 9, in the cylinder 8, occupies the position shown, to be transmitted from the levers 14 and 16 to the piston rod 21 through a link Q2. the levers 14 and 1U constitute a toggle that will not collapse under the pressure of the spring 1S, but which will yield to permit the valve 20 to open, when the pressure in cylinder 8 returns the piston to normal position` and allows the levers 14 and 1G to be thrown over to the opposite side` releasing valve 20 and allowing it to auton'iatically open again. Obviously it is possible by connecting the pressure tanli' directly to one of the cylinders through a non-return valve to store up the exhaust gases aty a sutlicient pressure to utilize the same in a like manner. This would ohviate the necessity of an air pump.

In Fig. 4 is shown another type of means for operating devices ot a similar nature. 'Ihis type ot dvvicv comprises a cylinder 23. externally threaded throughout its length, having a piston 2-1. carried hy a piston rod 35, adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder. The cylinder 23 is screw threadedly mounted, substantially midway itsI ends, in a pivotvd nut 213 and is adjustable by screwing it backwards and forwards through said nut. (lontined within the cylinder Q3. between the plunger 21 and the cap Q7 adapted to be screwed upon the. cylinder, is a spring 2S which may he tensioned as desired by tightening or loosening the cap 2T. Any suitable means may be employed for connecting the opposite end ot' the cylinder 23 with the pipe line. However, I have shown a nipple 29 having a large internally screw threaded portion adapted to screw upon the end of the cylinderand having its other end reduced and externally screw threaded for connection to the high pressure air supply. The piston Q5 is connected directly to the extended end of the lever 3() which is similar to the lever 14. The rod 17 pivoted to the lever 1G is adapted for connection with a valve, clutch, fast or loose pulley. an vlectric switch or other suitable devices.

By adjusting thv thumb screw 11 a varying amount of pressure in thv receptaclv is required to move the piston t) in the cylinder S and thus cause the toggle to operate the valve 'l`he more the thumb screw 11 is tightened the more orcv will be rvquired to move it and consequently greater pressure in the receptacle@ will be necessary to cause the valve 5 to be forced oil its seat.

Obviously. various modilicatious and changes in the construction and arrangementI ot' the parts may he made without departing from the spirity and scope ot the invention. i

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent of the United States isz- 1. In a device of the class described. the combination with a fluid receptacle. and a continuously operable pump for supplying' fluid thereto under pressure, of a nen-return valve associated with said receptacle, an inlet valve admitting fiuid into said pump, a valve actuating rod, a snap mechanism operating said rod, and pneumatic means operable by the pressure of` fluid delivered by said pump-effecting the direct actuation of said snap mechanism.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a fluid receptacle, and a continuously operable pump for supplying fluid thereto under pressure, of a non-return Valve associated with said receptacle, an inlet valve admitting fluid to said pump, a snap mechanism including links independent of said inlet valve and resilient means retaining said links fiexed and ensuring a rapid snap action in one or other direction, an inlet valve unseating member active when said links are flexed in one direction and inactive when said links are oppositely flexed, and fluid pressure controlled means associa-ted with said receptacle and operatingr said snap mechanism.

3. In combination with fluid pressure operable devices, a fluid receptacle` a continuously operable pump for supplying said receptacle with fluid under pressure, a valve between said pump and receptacle, a second valve for admitting fluid into said pump, and means intermittently interrupting the pumping action of said continuously operable pump, comprising: a plunger in said last named valve for holding said valve off' its seat when moved in one direction,

means controlled by the pressure in the re'- ceptacle for operating said plunger," and means ensuring the rapid positive movement of said plunger to its full extent in one or other direction.

In testimony whereof I affix my signa ture. f

CHARLES FREDERIC HEYIVOOD 

